Convertible chair



- (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. P. KENNA.

CONVERTIBLE GHAIR.

No. 365,523. Patented June 28, 1887.

' 2'Sheets--Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

' 0. P. KENNA. CONVERTIBLE UHAIR.

N. PETERS, PimwLhhognphar. wan-mm, nip,

UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES P. KENNA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONVERTIBLE CHAIR.

SPECIFIQATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,523, dated June 28, 1887.

and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

Mypresent invention, while capable in part of general application to that class of chairs which are designed to be converted from low chairs into high chairs, is more especially applicable to the class of chairs now commonly known in the trade as combined high chairs and carriages, in which provision is made whereby the chairs can be converted into high chairs for use at tables or can be transformed into low carriages adapted to be readily trundled.

The object of my invention is, first, t-o pro-- videan improved form of connection between the chair seat and its supporting-legs whereby, in the operation of lowering the chair from one position to another, the seat will be main tained at a level position, and, secondly, to provide improved means for connecting with the'legs of the chair the wheels whereby the chair will be sustained when converted into a carriage. These several objects I have accomplished by the novel features of construction hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly defined in the claims at the end ofthis specification.

Figure 1 is aview in side elevation showing my improved chair in position to form a childs high chair. Fig. 2 is a fractional view in vertical section on line 00 m of Fig. 1. liig.

3 is a view in side elevation showing the position of the parts when the seat of the chair is lowered to form a trnndling-carriage. Fig. 4 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the center of the chair with the parts in the relative position shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail View of the cam-block on the under side of the swinging extension.

A designates the main seat-frame of the chair, which may be provided with the usual or suitable arms, A, and, in case the chair is Application filed February 4, 1887. Serial No. 226,523. (No model.)

used for nursery purposes, with a swinging of the side arms; and from, the seat A rises the back A which is extended upwardly and backwardly a sufficient distance to form a convenient handle to be used for trundling the chair when converted into a carriage, as shown in Fig. 3.

To the chair-seat A, and preferably upon the under side thereof, are affixed the rails B, having tongues b, adapted to enter corresponding grooves in the extensible arms 0, which are sustained by and slide upon these rails.

Between the extensible arms G extend the cross bars 0 and c, the shorter of these bars being preferably arranged so that the. ends shall bear against the inner sides of the arms 0, while the lower and longer bar, 0', is affixed to the under sides thereof. 7

To the front end of each of the extensible arms 0 is suitably connected, as by a pivotchair, the lower ends of these legs being adapted to rest upon the floor when the chair is in high position. These rear legs, D, are pivotally connected, as at d, with the front legs, E, the upper ends of which are pivoted to the chair-seat, as ate, near its back.

Between the extensible arms 0 is pivotally hung, as atf, the swinging extension F, the lower end of which has affixed thereto the foot rest F, and the under side of the extension F is preferably provided with a suitable cam block, f, adapted to bear upon and be lifted by the cross-bar 01, extending between the legs D, near their upper ends. is pivoted to the e'xtensionF by means of the headed pin or screw f and atits opposite end is provided with a slotted lug, f adapted to swing over the headed pin f 4 and hold the camblock in position.

Each of the front legs, E, is provided atits upper portion with astandard, E, at the lower end of which is carried the axle G of a large wheel, G, such axle being held in position by means of a suitable threaded bolt, 9, upon the inner end thereof. It will be readily understood that, if preferred, a single axle extending through both standards E may be used for these wheels. Near the lower ends of the front legs, E, are placed the small wheels H, these This cam block f table, A pivotally connected, as at a, to one wheels being connected with the legs in a manner similar to the wheels G or by a single axle, as preferred; and the legs E and D may be braced by suitable crossbars, such as shown at c c and d d.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that when the various parts of my improved chair are in the relative position shown in Fig. 1 a high chair will be formed, the

lower ends of the legs D at such time resting upon the floor, while the ends of the front legs, B, will be raised therefrom by the wheels H, and at such time the foot-rest F will be in convenient position for the feet of the child.

It will also be seen that at such time the parts will be securely retained in position by means of the guard-pin c", which projects upwardly from the bar a and engages with the holes in a suitable spring-stop, I, which, as shown in the drawings, is hinged at t to the front bar of the seat, extends beneath the same, and is held in position by the pin I, a spring, 1", being employed, if desired, to force the bar I in downward direction. If, now, it is de sired to convert the high chair into a carriage, it is only necessary to lift the guard-bar 1, thereby permitting the front and rear legs to turn about their pivot-connection d and spread, during which operation the extensible arms 0 will be drawn by the legs D forward and outward from beneath the chairseat, and the swinging extension F, with the foot-rest F, will be lifted upward, and this movement will continue until the wheels G rest upon the floor and the lower ends of the legs D are lifted therefrom.

It will be observed that during this operation of converting the chair into a carriage the chair-seat has been retained at a level position, so that all danger of the occupant slipping therefrom is avoided. It will be understood, also, that when the chair is to be again converted into a high chair it will be only necessary to lift the seat until the several parts assume their relative positions. (Shown in Fi 1.) By providing the chair seat with the extensible arms 0, pivotally connected with the legs D, not only am I enabled to more readily and conveniently change the chair from one position to another, but am also enabled to arrange the extension F in such manner that it will be automatically swung upward, if desired, to form a continuation of the chair-seat, so as to permit the occupant to more readily assume a reclining position. By sustaining both sets of wheels upon the legs E, I am enabled to use a large and asniall set of wheels, so as not only to give to the chair an appearance more nearly like that of an ordinary childs earrriage, but also to bring the wheels into better position with respect to the body of the chair and where they will be less in the way of the person trundling the same. An advantage incident to the arrangement of the legs D in the manner shown is that when the chair is in the position to form a carriage the lower ends of these legs extend to a point hehind the large wheels and near the ground, so

as to avoid all danger of the backward tipping of the carriage.

It will be readily seen that if it is desired to have the occupant of the chair assume a sitting position when the chair is lowered to form a carriage, it is only necessary to turn the camblockf upon the pivot-pinf", so as to permit the swinging extension F to drop until it rests against the cross-bar d, between the legs I).

Ifdesired, the upper ends of the front legs, E, may be extended backward and upward, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, so as to form a suitable handle whereby the carriage may be trundled. In case this extension of the front legs is made the back A of the chair need not extend above the ordinary distance for such chairs.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as ncw,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a convertible chair, the combination, with the seat-frame, of the front legs pivotally connected therewith near the back, the extensible arms connected with the seatframe in a manner free to slide, and the rearlegs pivotally connected to the extensible arms and the front legs, substantially as described.

2. In a convertible chair, the combination, with the seat-frame, of the front legs pivotall y connected therewith near the back, the extensible arms arranged to slide lengthwise of the seat-frame, the rear legs pivotally connected with the extensible arms and with the front legs, and a swinging extension connected with said arms, substantially as described.

3. In a convertible chair, the combination, with the seat-frame provided with rails, of the extensible arms arranged to slide upon said rails, the swinging extension pivoted to said arms, the front legs pivoted to the seat-frame near its back, and the rear legs pivoted to the frontlcgs and to the extensible arms and pro vided with a suitable stop or bar for lifting the swinging extension, substantially as described.

4. In a convertible chair, the combination, with the seat-fraine and with its extensible arms, of the front and rear legs pivoted, respectively, to said frame and arms and to each other, one set of said legs being furnished with wheels at each side of its joint with the compauion set of legs, substantially as described.

5. In a convertible chair, the combination, with the seat-frame and with its extensible arms, of the front and rear legs pivoted, re spective] y, to said frame and arms and to each other, said front legs being provided near their lower ends with a set of small wheels and in their upper portions with a set of wheels of larger diameter, substantially as described.

CHAS. P. KEUNA.

\Vitnesses:

Gno. P. FISHER, Jr. J AMES I-I. Pnrnon.

IIO 

